Dewey drop-fire percussion salute cannons

[cannonmn]

Not an official name, they are just Dewey cannons but it helps to be descriptive.  These fire by a percussion nipple underneath.   They cock by raising the breech until the cam under one trunnion engages the sear.  They fire by pulling a lanyard attached to the wire ring at the rear coming out of the stand.  The larger one weighs about 40 lbs. and the smaller, maybe 8 lbs.  I didn't recall seeing any here so I thought I'd post pix for yr entertainment.  No I have never fired them.  Perhaps these will give you cannon cockers some ideas.

Here's a brief slideshow with different angles and showing cocked position.  Use password "attack."
http://s17.photobucket.com/albums/b62/cannonmn/miscforumsetc/Forums61%20120114/Dewey%20salute%20cannons/?albumview=slideshow
 

[jamesfrom180]

Were these types of signal guns ever marketed under alarm guns?  I seem to remember seeing an old Popular Mechanics or Sear's and Roebuck style ad along those lines.  I was interested in the history of trip guns and their use a wile back and I think I ran across it there.

[cannonmn]

Were these types of signal guns ever marketed under alarm guns?

I wasn't around back then but I think I can safely say no.  They were made as ceremonial/holiday/saluting/commemorative things, the cast-in "Dewey" indicates that to me anyway.

[Cannoneer]

I've seen these types of saluting guns before, but I still marvel at the way they were designed to fire.

[MikeR C]

Cannonmn,
Any possibility of getting measurements off the larger one???
I'd be interested in drawing it up and maybe making one...

Thx
MikeR C

[cannonmn]

I'll see what I can do.

[MikeR C]

Thank you!
Mike R C

[cannonmn]

Here's a slideshow with detailed views of the large Dewey cannon.  Use password "attack" to view.  Mouse over lower screen to control show movement.  Measurements will be posted soon.
 
http://s17.photobucket.com/albums/b62/cannonmn/miscforumsetc/Forums61%20120114/Dewey%20cannon%20large/?albumview=slideshow

[cannonmn]

Large Dewey salute cannon, dimensions in inches:
 
Trunnion dia.  0.98
T. length  0.91
Length between rimbases  2.85
Underloop dia. 2.07 
Length over trunnions 4.69
Cascabel dia.  1.53  length 1.87
Breech dia. max. 4.03  min 3.94
Breech band dia. 4.87
Muzzle dia., max. 3.04
Muzzle face to trunnion rear 4.56
Breech face to nipple center  2.37
Barrel, l.o.a.  13.7
Muzzle face to reinforce band front edge  7.1
Muzzle band length 0.97
Bore 1.00

[MikeR C]

Thank you very much, sir. I appreciate the time you spent taking the pics and posting the measurements.
Does it look to use #11  or top hat caps? The nipple looks to be pretty good size...

Thanks again,
MikeR C

[cannonmn]

Sorry, I don't know about the different percussion nipples.